Unit 5: Crustal Features & Plate Boundaries Vocabulary

Areas where plates move toward each other and collide, causing uplift.

• convergent

• divergent

• transform

• fault

Areas where plates move away from each other, forming either mid oceanic ridges or rift valleys.

• convergent

• divergent

• transform

• fault

Areas where two plates grind past each other resulting in faults such as the San Andreas. Earthquakes often occur at fault lines.

• convergent

• divergent

• transform

• fault

A deep depression of the sea floor caused by the subduction of one plate under another.

• mountain range on land

• trench

• transform

• fault

An area in the middle of a continental plate where the plate is beginning to separate. A large valley will form in the area as the crust thins.

• mountain range on land

• trench

• rift zone

• fault

Underwater mountain ranges where the crust is spreading apart creating new ocean floor.

• underwater mountain range

• trench

• rift zone

• (mid) oceanic ridges

Long, continuous volcanic chain of various mountains along an oceanic ridge.

• underwater mountain range

• trench

• rift zone

• oceanic ridges

An area that is surrounding the Pacific Ocean that is comprised of multiple chains of volcanic islands. This area also has an abundance of volcanic activity.

• mountain range on land

• trench

• rift zone

• ring of fire

A series or chain of mountains that are close together and rise 300 m (1000 ft.) above its surrounding area.

• mountain range on land

• trench

• rift zone

• fault

a crack in the earth's crust where rocks slide past on another. Different types of faults may form based on direction of plate movement.

• mountain range on land

• trench

• rift zone

• fault